Jamal Anderson vs Michael Turner: You Decide
Both Jamal Anderson and Michael Turner are two of the the best Falcons to ever line up in the back field.
Let’s compare stats and break down each player.
Michael Turner
Drafted in 2004 by the San Diego Chargers, the small 5’10” running back from Northern Illinois had a lot to prove. In his four years with the Chargers, Turner racked up 1257 yards and six touchdowns. However, a slow start did not stop him from finding success.
After backing up LaDainian Tomlinson for four seasons, Turner was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. From 2008 to 2012, Michael Turner was simply a stud. He averaged 1,216 rushing yards per season, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl (2008, 2010) and a spot on the AP All-Pro First Team (2008).
Turner stood out to the NFL as a “cheat code” or someone simply unstoppable in his great years in Atlanta, and Falcons fans look back on him fondly.
Jamal Anderson
Unlike Turner, in 1994, Jamal Anderson was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round.
In Anderson’s rookie year, he rushed for an embarrassing -1 yards. The next year, his spot on the team was in jeopardy, but he showed improvement. In his second year, Anderson put up 161 yards and one touchdown.
Still, Anderson was definitely considered a poor backup. In his third year however, he took a great step forward, tallying up 1,055 yards and five touchdowns.
In the following five years, he was spectacular. Anderson put up 4,121 total yards and 28 touchdowns over this half decade, with the 1998 season standing out. His 14 touchdowns and 1,846 yards blew all of the doubters away as he carried the Falcons to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in a season that everyone would remember.
Who do you think was better? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter.